Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Transistor datasheets from Mullard for; Germanium: OC44, OC45, OC70, OC71, OC72, OC74, OC75, OC78, OC81 and OC81D Germanium: AC126, AC127, AC128, AC176, AC187, AC188 Silicon: BC107, BC108, BC109, BC186, BC187 MULLARD DATA BOOK 1965 – 66 MULLARD DATA BOOK 1974 – 75
It’s worth noting that none of the source material claims that equivalent equates to identical – there will be differences, it will largely come down to what you are trying to build in a lot of cases. I’ve only listed transistors commonly sought after for guitar pedals, as this is what I’m usually trying to … Read more
CV Transistors are UK military spec valves, transistors and diodes (CV stands for common valve, as it predates semiconductors). CV transistors were made by several different manufacturers on contract and produced to the UK military’s specifications. These can be, and quite often are, common commercial transistors made to military specification and renumbered. Here are a few pedal-friendly transistors … Read more
Off-board wiring for any Tone Bender MKIII or MKIV – this is just how I do it; it’s not exactly vintage correct. The cable with a grey offshoot is shielded. Note where shields are not connected. I’ve grounded the enclosure via a pot; this is only sometimes necessary or recommended, depending on the style … Read more
A 3DPT or a 2DPT switch can be used for this. Pete Cornish uses a 3DPT, perhaps because he solders the LED circuit to the switch pins – who knows… I added secondary power filtering on the buffer, which of course, can be easily removed if you already have it on the effect circuit. Stating … Read more
OFF-BOARD SWITCH WIRING FOR GUITAR FX Here’s some common options for stomp switch wiring. If you are new to pedal building, you need to make an effort to understand switching, as it’s one of the fundamentals. 3PDT TRUE BYPASS SWITCHING Make sure you have latching 3PDT switches, or prepare for disappointment. The alternative to latching … Read more
COMMON SILICON TRANSISTOR PINOUTS TRANSISTOR NUMBERING SYSTEMS JEDEC (JOINT ELECTRON DEVICE ENGINEERING COUNCIL) example: 2N2222 First Number 1 = Diode 2 = Bipolar transistor or single gate field effect transistor 3 = Dual gate field effect transistor Second Letter = N Subsequent numerals = Serial number Important to note that there is no correlation between … Read more
SINGLE OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS PINOUTS LM386 TL061, TL071, LM741 DUAL OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS PINOUT TL072, 4558, 5532, LM358, LM833 QUAD OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIERS PINOUT TL074 DUAL OPERATIONAL TRANSCONDUCTANCE AMPLIFIERS PINOUT LM13700 SINGLE OPERATIONAL TRANSCONDUCTANCE AMPLIFIER CA3080 PINOUT note: out of production, LM13700 is the current equivalent CA3080 HEX INVERTING BUFFER PINOUT – CD4049UBE
Looking for some affordable germanium diodes? It’s hard not to go past the price, quality and availability of the old soviet stock. They can behave a little differently than their European and American friends, but otherwise, they are well worth a look as an affordable substitute. BEST 1N341 / 1N34A SUBSTITUTES USING SOVIET-ERA DIODES Д9Б … Read more
HAMMOND ENCLOSURES – MAXIMUM VERO & TAG BOARD WIDTHS Hammond 1590B Standard vero board Portrait: 21, possibly 22, with a bit of help from a file Hammond 1590N1 (125B) Standard vero board Portrait: 23 Hammond 1590BB Standard vero board Portrait: 33 Landscape: 43 0.15 inch … Read more